Developing the Potential of Village Health Volunteers in Managing “Health station” in Partnership

Abstract

This participatory action research aims to study the process and results of developing the potential of village health volunteers in management "Health station" as a partnership for access to health services in the community. The sample group consisted of 63 village health volunteers (VHVs), 5 related health personnel  from Tambon Health Promoting Hospital, and 306 patients with diabetes and/or high blood pressure. The operation was carried out in 3 phases: 1) situation analysis, 2) development using the action research. and 3) results of development. The research tools include focus group guidelines, participatory behavior observation form, practical skills assessment form, health record form and questionnaire for opinions on development. Data were analyzed using percentage, mean, standard deviation and content analysis. The results of the study found that 1) Problems and development needs include creating participation in “Health station”, enhancing awareness about chronic diseases and attitudes towards behavior change. Development of screening skills and basic health care and creating a mentoring system. 2) There is a 4-steps development process: creating awareness and the need for development. Create a development and management team pilot development in sample communities and expand the development coalition to other communities and 3) Evaluation or results of development found (1) “Health care stations” in communities can be managed through community participation with village health volunteers as leaders (2) Village health volunteers have skills in screening and basic health care using 7-colors traffic ping pong is at a good level. There is a good level of awareness about chronic diseases in the community. There is an attitude towards changing behavior. (3) 67 percent of patients with diabetes and/or high blood pressure whose disease was controlled improved; and (4) village health volunteers were satisfied with the development at a good level, 100 percent.